Department of Criminology and Criminalistics

Dear Collegues,We would like to inform you that, due to the summer holiday period, the large number of submissions received in recent days, and numerous requests from prospective participants, the Organising Committee of the 4th Criminology Congress has decided to extend the registration deadline until 15 July 2026. No further extensions are planned.We would also like to remind you that the 4th Criminology Congress, organised by the Professor Stanisław Batawia Polish Society of Criminology in cooperation with the Department of Criminology and Criminalistics of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, will be combined with the ceremonial celebration of the 70th birthday of Professor Wiesław Pływaczewski, organised jointly with the Police Academy in Szczytno.The event will take place on 24–25 September 2026 at the Conference and Training Centre of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.Yours faithfully, The Organising Committee

The latest issue of the academic journal Internal Security Review includes a review by Professor Tomasz Safjański of the monograph Espionage: A Criminological Study by Professor Piotr Chlebowicz. We encourage readers to explore both the review and this new publication by a member of the Department of Criminology and Criminalistics.

From 6 to 10 July 2026, Dr hab. Denis Solodov, Professor at the University of Warmia and Mazury, took part in a training school on interviewing adolescent suspects and the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group Conference in Leuven. During the conference, he presented research on the role of lawyers representing witnesses and victims, the recording of investigative interviews, and the implementation of the Méndez Principles in Polish criminal proceedings. The events provided an opportunity to exchange experience and strengthen international cooperation.

On May 14, 2025, the third edition of the Competition took place, with more than 120 students participating. More information is available by clicking

Dr. habil. Denis Solodov, Professor at UWM, was a guest on the 6th episode of Legalny Podcast, titled “Crimes Without a Body, Digital Traces and the End of the Police Bluff.” The conversation focused on contemporary standards in criminal proceedings, the Méndez Principles, changes in interrogation methods, and the growing importance of digital evidence, psychology, and new technologies in investigative work. Topics also included cybercrime, state security, information warfare, and the challenges facing Polish forensic science and criminal procedure. The link to the podcast is available by clicking

Dear Collegues, on behalf of the Department of Criminology and Criminalistics of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the 4th Criminological Congress, combined with the celebration of the 70th Jubilee of Professor Wiesław Pływaczewski, which will be held on 23–24 September 2026 in Olsztyn. Further information can be found in the attached invitation and on the official Congress website: https://kongreskryminologiczny.uwm.edu.pl/  

On 11 May 2026, Dr. habil. Denis Solodov, Professor at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, participated in the international scientific conference entitled “Five Years of the Méndez Principles: From Vision to Practice”, held at Özyeğin University in Istanbul, Türkiye. The conference was organised within the framework of COST Action CA22128 “ImpleMéndez”. The conference programme included scientific presentations, panel discussions, and exchanges of experiences concerning the implementation of international standards in the field of human rights protection and investigative interviewing tactics. Participants discussed, among other topics, the practical application of ethical interviewing principles, contemporary challenges related to the protection of interviewees’ rights, and the role of scientific research in the development of international standards.

On 23–24 April 2026, an international scientific conference titled Safeguarding Against Ill-Treatment in Interrogation: Aligning Disciplines for Effective and Fair Interviewing was held in Geneva, Switzerland. The event, organised by the Geneva Academy (University of Geneva) in cooperation with COST Action CA22128 ImpleMéndez (Working Group 2), brought together experts in law, human rights, and investigative practice to examine how interdisciplinary approaches can strengthen safeguards against ill-treatment in interrogation and support ethical, evidence-based interviewing techniques. Within Theme 4 – Informal Questioning and the Risk to Safeguards, Dr hab. D. Solodov, Professor at UWM, delivered a presentation titled: “Why do informal police interviews occur? Legal and structural drivers in Poland”. 

On March 30 of this year, members of the Forensic Science Student Association “Na Tropie,” operating at the Department of Criminology and Criminalistics of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, had the opportunity to participate in unique classes conducted by officers of the Forensic Techniques Unit of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Olsztyn. The workshops constituted an extremely valuable educational experience, enabling direct familiarization with the practical aspects of the work of forensic technicians. Participants had the opportunity to take part in a simulated crime scene exercise, including, among others, conducting scene examinations, preparing procedural documentation, securing evidence, and using specialized equipment. The officers’ commitment, professionalism, and openness in sharing their knowledge and experience significantly contributed to enhancing the students’ competencies and deepening their understanding of the specifics of forensic work. Such initiatives play an important role in educating future specialists and in building lasting cooperation between the academic community and the Police. We sincerely thank them for their time, kindness, and the opportunity to participate in this exceptional initiative!

On 6–7 March 2026, the National Scientific Conference titled “The Architecture of Lies: Consequences of Disinformation for Criminal Policy and Public Awareness” took place at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The event was organized by the Department of Criminology and Criminalistics, in cooperation with the Student Scientific Association of Criminology “Vestigium” and the Student Scientific Association of Intellectual Property Law. The conference was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Minister of Energy and the Voivode of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. A total of 70 papers were presented during the conference by representatives of 12 academic institutions from across Poland. The debate brought together lawyers, criminologists, sociologists, cybersecurity experts, as well as representatives of uniformed services and public administration. The event created a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as for developing strategies to counteract disinformation in the public sphere.